Emery revealed Ozil pulled a sickie after he told him he was going to be played in a different position

"On Friday, after my conversation on Thursday, he continued to stay off sick. We spoke with the doctor and decided it was better for him to stay at home. If he felt better on Saturday, he should come."

Ozil is the club's highest earner on £350,000-a-week, but Emery will reportedly receive the full backing of the board with Ozil needing to fight to win back his place.

Emery is said to be under no pressure to play the midfielder.

And the Telegraph add that Emery "will not allow his authority to be weakened by any player".